Steny Hoyer: “I said earlier today that this was a sad and solemn occasion for us all. Obviously, it is. The discussions have led to…”

“I said earlier today that this was a sad and solemn occasion for us all. Obviously, it is. The discussions have led to that conclusion. Some knew these two brave men better than others. Let me suggest, however, all of us know their comrades in the defense of freedom and defense of our safety and the defense of civil order, without which democracy and freedom cannot flourish. I see my very close friend on the floor, Curt Weldon from the State of Pennsylvania. He and I are honored to cochair the effort we know as the Fire Service Caucus. It honors men and women who respond to emergency, at time of crisis, not just to fire but to flood and to earthquake and to the cat in the tree, all types of emergencies that confront us. As I sat here thinking of those who had spoken of these two brave officers, one who frankly was unable to make an immediate decision because the assailant did not give him that time, the other who had to make instantaneous decisions and responded in the best traditions, with the highest courage of men and women who serve in the police forces of our Nation. But as I thought further, each one of them made a decision that required courage and commitment to their fellow men and women in this country.”